Eden Hazard has won the Chelsea Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Goal of the Season awards for 2019, making Blues history in the process.
Hazard is the first player to win all three awards in the same year. He has now received the main prize – voted for by Chelsea supporters – for a record fourth time, having also done so in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
‘My relationship with the fans has been really good since I came here,’ Hazard said after picking up the Player of the Year award from Maurizio Sarri and Gianfranco Zola at the Royal Lancaster hotel in central London.
‘It’s always a pleasure to play at Stamford Bridge in front of the fans. That’s why I am on the pitch. When we play for such a great club like Chelsea at the end of the season you want to win something. Now we have that opportunity. We will go to Baku all together with the fans and we will be back with the trophy.’
A joy to watch with his dazzling skill and turn of pace, no player brings the supporters to their feet as often as Hazard. The 28-year-old has mostly been deployed on the left side of our attack but has also, on occasion, led the line.
Even by his high standards it has been a season to remember for Hazard. No Chelsea player has more goals (19) or assists (16) than him, and he also leads the way for successful dribbles, chances created, and touches in the opposition box. Across the whole of the Premier League he has been involved in more goals (16 goals, 15 assists) than anyone else.
The standout moment according to Blues fans was his stunning solo strike against Liverpool at Anfield which was named the Chelsea Goal of the Season earlier on Friday night. He has now won that award three times.
His team-mates too recognised Hazard’s contribution this term by naming the Belgian the Players’ Player of the Year. It is the second time he has received that accolade.
Eight different players have scored from Hazard assists, including Ruben Loftus-Cheek against Eintracht Frankfurt last night. He has provided plenty of individual moments of brilliance to win us games, too, and there can be no more worthy winner of the three awards than our world-class attacker.
Elsewhere tonight, Callum Hudson-Odoi was named the Young Player of the Year after a thrilling breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge and an international debut at 18 to boot.
The Women’s Player of the Year prize went to Erin Cuthbert, while Sophie Ingle was the recipient of the Players’ Player of the Year award.
Conor Gallagher, the young midfielder who has shone for our development squad and UEFA Youth League sides, was chosen as the Academy Player of the Year.
Although it was of course Hazard who dominated the headlines, there was an emotional moment towards the end of the evening when Gary Cahill was recognised for his exceptional service to the club during his seven-and-a-half seasons here. Cesar Azpilicueta spoke about the defender’s impact at Stamford Bridge.
‘He has been a very important part of the team and the club in the last seven years,’ Azpi said. ‘He has won seven trophies, and hopefully an eighth trophy on May 29 in Baku!
‘I have only good words for Gary. He has been a top professional and a top guy in the dressing room and I can only wish him the best for his future.’
Also during the ceremony, the club’s work with Plan International was highlighted, as was the Say No To Antisemitism campaign which continues next week when we meet New England Revolution for the Final Whistle on Hate game.
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